Personal watercraft storage rack

ABSTRACT

Storage racks for personal watercraft are provided for installation on standard boat dock posts. The storage racks may be pivotally attached to a post such that the storage rack may be pivoted between an over-dock orientation, a stowed orientation and an over-water orientation. A storage rack may be installed and reoriented without use of tools or additional hardware.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to storage racks for personal watercraft.More particularly, the present disclosure relates to personal watercraftstorage racks for installation on standard boat dock posts.

BACKGROUND

Personal watercrafts (e.g., universal paddle boards, stand-uppaddleboards (SUPs), kayaks, canoes, windsurfing boards, water skis,etc.) have become popular. Often times, when a watercraft is left withina body of water, the watercraft becomes discolored; coated with algae,mold, mildew, barnacles, etc.; and/or otherwise damaged due to exposureto the water/salt. Accordingly, it is desirable to remove watercraftfrom the water when not in use.

When personal watercraft are removed from the water, it is often timesconvenient to, at least temporarily, store the personal watercraftproximate a dock. Known storage racks for personal watercraft arecomplex to install and present obstacles in and around an associateddock.

Storage racks of the present disclosure may be easy to install and maybe repositionable when not in use to minimize associated dock obstacles.

SUMMARY

A personal watercraft storage rack may include a first main post havingat least one first arm. The personal watercraft storage rack may alsoinclude a second main post having at least one second arm. The firstmain post may be pivotable between a first orientation and a secondorientation independent of the second main post.

In another embodiment, a personal watercraft storage rack may include amain post having a first arm extending vertical from the main post. Thepersonal watercraft storage rack may also include a second arm extendingat an angle from the main post. The main post may be pivotable between afirst orientation and a second orientation. The first arm and the secondarm may be repositional between a respective first position and arespective second position without use of tools.

In a further embodiment, a personal watercraft storage rack may includea main post having a first arm extending from the main post. Thepersonal watercraft storage rack may also include a second arm extendingfrom the first arm. The main post may be pivotable between a firstorientation and a second orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example personal watercraft storage rack proximatea dock;

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded, perspective view, of an example personalwatercraft storage rack standard with angled arms;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective, assembled, view of the example personalwatercraft storage rack standard with angled arms of FIG. 1 pivotedbetween an over-dock position, a stowed position, and an over-waterposition;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the example personal watercraftstorage rack standard with angled arms of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 depicts an exploded, perspective view, of an example personalwatercraft storage rack standard with vertical arms;

FIG. 6 depicts an exploded, perspective view, of an example personalwatercraft storage rack standard with one vertical arm and one angledarm; and

FIG. 7 depicts an exploded, perspective view, of another examplepersonal watercraft storage rack standard with one vertical arm and oneangled arm.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION

A personal watercraft rack of the present disclosure may fit ontostandard dock posts typically found on most residential-marina boatdocks. Most individuals owning or using such personal watercrafts (e.g.,universal paddle boards, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), kayaks, canoes,windsurfing boards, water skis, etc.) desire a rack system that mayeasily be moved (e.g., pivoted) from a stowed position over a dock to aposition outwards over the water without the need for using eitherelectrical or mechanical tools. Use of tools is often inconvenient torecreational personal watercraft users, and use of electrical tools isconsidered quite dangerous around water.

Personal watercraft storage racks of the present disclosure may providevertical, horizontal, and/or angular storage. Most known storage racksare fixed to a side or top of a dock, and additional hardware and toolsare required for mounting. Also, mounting to a side or top of a dock mayresult in permanent damage or alteration of the mounting surfaces withpotential for loss of warranty, injury caused by sharp edges/burrs,shavings falling into the water or on land. Personal watercraft storageracks of the present disclosure, on the other hand, may facilitate quickinstallation and immediate storage of personal watercraft without theneed for secondary processes or tools.

The option of having a storage rack assembly positioned over the waterallows a personal watercraft user-owner access to the personalwatercraft without having to lift the personal watercraft off or over anassociated dock, and reduces potential for damaging the personalwatercraft or harming the person(s) maneuvering the personalwatercraft(s).

Known personal watercraft storage racks are limited to fixed mountingconstraints that only offer single board storage, and known storageracks typically cannot be transitioned easily into stowed positionswithout use of tools. In addition, many existing storage rack optionsare limited to either vertical or horizontal mounting configurations andthe existing storage racks are not flexible or robust enough to supportmultiple personal watercraft. Storage of multiple personal watercraftmay be desirable for dock owners and guests that facilitate ample spaceon a dock to get past stored personal watercraft.

Commercial marina owners with a larger number of boat slips, where spaceis limited, as well as the perception of professionalism, safety, andimage in their respective markets can be reflected by the equipment andservices they offer to their members. Availability of easy-to-usefeatures, such as a universal personal watercraft storage rack, of thepresent disclosure, is desirable.

The storage racks of the present disclosure may leverage existing,standard dock equipment, often referred to as dock posts or stanchions,that may, for example, range from 2 to 2.5 inches in outside diameter.Adaptation of a universal personal storage rack, of the presentdisclosure, may allow for direct mount without hardware. As describedherein, personal watercraft storage racks of the present disclosure maybe easily adapted to allow for mechanical retention options.

The personal watercraft storage racks of the present disclosure mayinclude a twist-lock feature that may allow a user-owner to, forexample, easily lift and rotate a storage rack assembly without tools,and then lower the rack assembly into a locking position that mayprevent the rack assembly from further rotation. The flexibility of astorage rack rotation feature may provide a user-owner an option toposition a rack assembly either over a dock, into a stowed positionand/or over the water.

A personal watercraft storage rack of the present disclosure may includetubular frame components that may minimize potential damage to anassociated personal watercraft while placing the personal watercraftinto storage (e.g., may avoid sharp edges). In addition to the tubularconstruction, protective coatings may be applied that may be, forexample, ultra-violate (UV) light and/or corrosion resistant, helping toassure long-life and higher quality in protection of the personalwatercraft storage rack. A personal watercraft storage rack of thepresent disclosure may include welded brackets (e.g., brackets 230, 235of FIG. 2) to the tubular arms (e.g., tubular arms 245, 250,respectively, of FIG. 2), that may be, for example, easily adjusted todifferent locations on the main support tube (e.g., main support tube210 of FIG. 2) by an interlocking tab (e.g., tab 231, 236 of FIG. 2) onthe bracket 230, 235 being placed into a hole/slot (e.g., tab receptacle213 of FIG. 2) in the main support tube 210. Additional slots 213 in themain support tube 210 may be placed at different rotational angels toallow a user-owner stowage or placement options. Transition of an arm245, 250, from one position to the next, may be easily achieved bylifting an arm/bracket assembly to release the locking tab 231, 236 onthe bracket 230, 235 from a slot/hole 213 to a different slot/hole 213on the main support tube 210. Alternatively, as an option to the lockingtab 231, 236/213 concept on the bracket 230, 235, may include a hookfeature (e.g., hook 531, 536 of FIG. 5) on a bracket (e.g., bracket 530,535 of FIG. 5) that may drop downward onto a fastened or fixed stud(e.g., studs 513, 514, 546, 547, 551, 552 of FIG. 5) on the main supporttube (e.g., tube 510, 545, 550 of FIG. 5). Both arm retention optionswith the bracket designs illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 may utilize alever effect of the arm assembly to aid in retaining the arm assembly inplace. No additional hardware or associate tools for assembly orrepositioning are needed.

A personal watercraft storage rack assembly of the present disclosuremay be expanded from a single board mount concept to a multiple boardmounting concept by, for example, including addition arm assemblies. Thearm assemblies may, for example, be attached directly to a main supporttube assembly (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 and 7) or directly toan existing arm assembly (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6). Byadding more arm assemblies onto a main support tube assembly, auser-owner may not intrude further into an associated dock area.

A personal watercraft storage rack of the present disclosure may includeowner identification, pier/dock marking, and/or advertising that may be,for example, integrated into an associated personal watercraft storagerack manufacturing process (e.g., laser cutting precision copped orstraight cut-off ends).

If a user-owner wants a more robust retention option, a personalwatercraft storage rack of the present disclosure may include a slottedcoupling on a main support tube assembly that may guide a retentioncross pin from on position to another without the need of removing theretention cross pin (e.g., pin 241 of FIG. 2).

A personal watercraft storage rack of the present disclosure may includefeatures that facilitate reposition of associated arm assemblies intomultiple locations (e.g., an over-dock position 310, a stowed position310 a, and/or an over-water position 310 b of FIG. 3). The pivotalrepositioning as illustrated in FIG. 3 may allow a user-ownerflexibility to position personal watercraft storage rack assembly overthe dock, in a stowed position or over the water, for example, bypivoting the associated assembly. Thereby, transition from one positionto another may be achieved without use of tools or equipment. A personalwatercraft storage rack of the present disclosure may include an optionof synchronized motors (e.g., cranks 107 of FIG. 1) or connectingmechanisms (e.g., connecting mechanisms 108, 109 of FIG. 1) that worktogether to rotate individual rack assemblies (e.g., rack assemblies 110of FIG. 1) from one position to another.

A personal watercraft storage rack of the present disclosure mayincorporate materials used in marine-watersports industries, includingprotective finishes (e.g., polyvinyl-chloride (PVC), urethane orrubberized soft coatings, and galvanized, stainless steel or aluminumfor tubes, brackets, or retention studs). All parts of a personalwatercraft storage rack of the present disclosure may be adequatelyprotected against normal conditions that are common in marineindustries.

A personal watercraft storage rack of the present disclosure may allowfor customization of the tubular components with owner identification,pier-dock marking or advertising. Such customizations may be achievedduring tube manufacturing processes. A personal watercraft storage rackmay include: protective end caps (e.g., end caps 255 of FIG. 2) that maybe installed on the tube ends to avoid damage to personal watercraftsduring handling. End caps may, for example, include shapes that aid inlocating/storing associated paddles; and/or retention studs or holes inthe tubular components that allow for various tie-downstraps/cords/bungees.

Turning to FIG. 1, a personal watercraft storage rack assembly 100 isdepicted proximate a dock 105. The personal watercraft storage rackassembly 100 may include main posts 110, for example, rotatably attachedto a respective dock post 106. As described herein, a main post 110 maybe, for example, placed on top of a respective dock post 106 without useof tools (e.g., the main post may include a coupling 240, 340, 440, 540,640, 740 as illustrated in FIGS. 2-7) The dock 105 may be attached tothe dock posts 106 via brackets 109. While not shown in FIG. 1, eachmain post may include a plurality of arms extending from the main post110 to support personal watercraft (e.g., a canoe 115, a kayak 120, or astand-up paddle board 125). The personal watercraft storage rackassembly 100 may also include a mechanism 107 (e.g., a crank, a motor,etc.) and linkage 108 configured to reorient the personal watercraftstorage rack assembly 100 relative to the dock 105 (e.g., a main post110 may be rotated, a personal watercraft 115, 120, 125 may beraised/lowered relative to the dock 105 and/or associated water, thedock 105 may be raised/lowered relative the water, etc.).

With reference to FIG. 2, a personal watercraft storage rack standardassembly 200 may include a first arm 245 and a second arm 250 extendingat an angle from a main post (or stanchion) 210. The personal watercraftstorage rack standard assembly 200 may be similar to, for example,either of the standards 110 of FIG. 1. The standard assembly 200 mayinclude a pivot coupling 240 on a first end 211 of the main post 210.The pivot coupling 240 may be configured to pivotally mount the standardassembly 200 to, for example, a standard dock post. Each arm 245, 250may include a respective end cap 255. The first arm 245 may berepositionally attached to the main post 110 via a first bracket 230.The second arm 250 may be repositionally attached to the main post 110via a second bracket 235. Transition of an arm 245, 250, from oneposition to the next, may be easily achieved by lifting an arm/bracketassembly to release the locking tab 231, 236 on the bracket 230, 235from a slot/hole 213 to a different slot/hole 213 on the main supporttube 210.

The personal watercraft storage rack standard assembly 200 may include aslotted coupling on a main support tube assembly that may guide aretention cross pin from on position to another without the need ofremoving the retention cross pin 241. The personal watercraft storagerack standard assembly 200 may include a twist-lock feature (e.g., thepivot coupling 240/pin 241) that may allow a user-owner to, for example,easily lift and rotate the storage rack standard assembly 200 withouttools, and then lower the standard assembly 200 into a locking positionthat may prevent the standard assembly 200 from further rotation. Theflexibility of a storage rack rotation feature 240/241 may provide auser-owner an option to position a rack assembly either over a dock,into a stowed position and/or over the water as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Turning to FIG. 3, a dock mounted personal watercraft storage rack 300may include a main post 310, 310 a, 310 b mounted to a dock post 306 viaa pivot coupling 340, 340 a, 340 b. The dock mounted personal watercraftstorage rack 300 may include components similar to those described withrespect to FIGS. 1 and 2. The dock post 306 may support a dock 305 via adock post bracket 307 secured to, for example, a dock side 304. The dockmounted personal watercraft storage rack 300 may also include a firstarm 345, 345 a, 345 b and a second arm 350, 350 a, 350 b extending at anangle from the main post 310, 310 a, 310 b. The first arm 345 and thesecond arm 350 may be pivoted between an over-dock position, a stowedposition 310 a, 345 a, 350 a, and an over-water position 310 b, 345 b,350 b.

With reference to FIG. 4, a personal watercraft storage rack standardassembly 400 may include a first arm 445 extending at an angle from amain post 410 via a first bracket 430, a second arm 450 extending at anangle from the main post 410 via a second bracket 435, and a pivotcoupling 440. The personal watercraft storage rack standard assembly 400may, for example, constitute an assembled version of the personalwatercraft storage rack standard assembly 200 of FIG. 2.

Turning to FIG. 5, a personal watercraft storage rack standard assembly500 may include a first arm 545 extending horizontally/vertically from amain post 510 via a first bracket 530, a second arm 550 extendinghorizontally/vertically from the first arm 545 via a second bracket 535,and a pivot coupling 540/pin 541. As an alternative to the locking tab231, 236/213 concept on the bracket 230, 235 illustrated in FIG. 2, apersonal watercraft storage rack standard 500 may include a hook feature531, 536 on the bracket 530, 535 that may drop downward onto a fastenedor fixed stud 513, 514, 546, 547, 551, 552 on the main support tube 510,545, 550. Both arm retention options with the bracket designsillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 may utilize a lever effect of the armassembly to aid in retaining the arm assembly in place. No additionalhardware or associate tools for assembly or repositioning are needed.The main post 510 and each arm 545, 550 may include a respective end cap555.

With reference to FIG. 6, a personal watercraft storage rack standardassembly 600 may include a first arm 645 extendinghorizontally/vertically from a main post 610 via a first bracket 630, asecond arm 650 extending at an angle from the first arm 645 via a secondbracket 635, and a pivot coupling 640/pin 641. As an alternative to thelocking tab 231, 236/213 concept on the bracket 230, 235 illustrated inFIG. 2, a personal watercraft storage rack standard 600 may include ahook feature 631, 636 on the bracket 630, 635 that may drop downwardonto a fastened or fixed stud 613, 614, 646, 647, 651, 652 on the mainsupport tube 610, 645, 650. Both arm retention options with the bracketdesigns illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6 may utilize a lever effect of thearm assembly to aid in retaining the arm assembly in place. Noadditional hardware or associate tools for assembly or repositioning areneeded. The main post 610 and each arm 645, 650 may include a respectiveend cap 655.

With reference to FIG. 7, a personal watercraft storage rack standardassembly 700 may include a first arm 745 extendinghorizontally/vertically from a main post 710 via a first bracket 730, asecond arm 750 extending at an angle from the main post 710 via a secondbracket 735, and a pivot coupling 740/pin 741. The first bracket tab 731may cooperate with the receptacles 713 to adjustably position the firstarm 745 to the main post 710. The second bracket tab 736 may cooperatewith the receptacles 714 to adjustably position the second arm 750 tothe main post 710. The main post 710 and each arm 745, 750 may include arespective end cap.

This detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and doesnot describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possibleembodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implementnumerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology ortechnology developed after the filing date of this application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A personal watercraft storage rack, comprising: afirst main post having at least one first arm; and a second main posthaving at least one second arm, wherein the first main post is pivotablebetween a first orientation and a second orientation independent of thesecond main post.
 2. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 1,wherein the first arm extends from the first main post in an orientationselected from: a vertical orientation, an angular orientation, or ahorizontal orientation.
 3. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim1, wherein the first main post includes a first plurality of arms andthe second main post includes a second plurality of arms that areconfigured to store at least one personal watercraft in variousorientations.
 4. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 1,wherein the first main post and the second main post are rotatable suchthat the first arm and the second arm are reorientable betweenorientations including: an over-dock orientation, a stowed orientation,and an over-water orientation, without use of tools or additionalhardware.
 5. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 1, whereinthe first arm is repositionally positioned on the first main post andthe second arm is repositionally positioned on the second main post viainterlocking features such that the first arm and the second arm aremovable from a respective first mounting position to a respective secondmounting position without use of tools or additional hardware.
 6. Thepersonal watercraft storage rack of claim 1, further comprising: atleast one customization option selected from: an owner identification, apier-dock marking, or advertising using, in-process manufacturingoptions on tubular component.
 7. The personal watercraft storage rack ofclaim 1, wherein the main post, the first arm and the second arm includeat least one of: a protective finish, a polyvinyl-chloride (PVC)coating, a urethane coating, a rubberized soft coating, galvanizedmaterial, stainless steel material, or aluminum.
 8. A personalwatercraft storage rack, comprising: a main post having a first armextending vertical from the main post; and a second arm extending at anangle from the main post, wherein the main post is pivotable between afirst orientation and a second orientation, and wherein the first armand the second arm are repositional between a respective first positionand a respective second position without use of tools.
 9. The personalwatercraft storage rack of claim 8, wherein the main post includes afirst plurality of arms that are configured to store at least onepersonal watercraft in various orientations.
 10. The personal watercraftstorage rack of claim 8, wherein the main post is rotatable such thatthe first arm and the second arm are reorientable between orientationsincluding: an over-dock orientation, a stowed orientation, and anover-water orientation.
 11. The personal watercraft storage rack ofclaim 8, wherein the first arm is repositionally positioned on the mainpost via interlocking features.
 12. The personal watercraft storage rackof claim 8, further comprising: at least one customization optionselected from: an owner identification, a pier-dock marking, oradvertising using, in-process manufacturing options on tubularcomponent.
 13. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 8, whereinthe main post, the first arm and the second arm include at least one of:a protective finish, a polyvinyl-chloride (PVC) coating, a urethanecoating, a rubberized soft coating, galvanized material, stainless steelmaterial, or aluminum.
 14. A personal watercraft storage rack,comprising: a main post having a first arm extending from the main post;and a second arm extending from the first arm, wherein the main post ispivotable between a first orientation and a second orientation.
 15. Thepersonal watercraft storage rack of claim 14, wherein the first arm andthe second arm are repositional between a respective first position anda respective second position.
 16. The personal watercraft storage rackof claim 14, wherein the main post includes a first plurality of armsthat are configured to store at least one personal watercraft in variousorientations.
 17. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 14,wherein the main post is rotatable such that the first arm and thesecond arm are reorientable between orientations including: an over-dockorientation, a stowed orientation, and an over-water orientation. 18.The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 14, wherein the first armis repositionally positioned on the main post via interlocking features.19. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 14, furthercomprising: at least one customization option selected from: an owneridentification, a pier-dock marking, or advertising using, in-processmanufacturing options on tubular component.
 20. The personal watercraftstorage rack of claim 14, wherein the main post, the first arm and thesecond arm include at least one of: a protective finish, apolyvinyl-chloride (PVC) coating, a urethane coating, a rubberized softcoating, galvanized material, stainless steel material, or aluminum.